Vehicular display control device, vehicular display system, vehicle, display method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium

ABSTRACT

A vehicular display control device including: memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to: detect when a right-side operation region provided on a right side of a steering wheel has been operated; detect when a left-side operation region provided on a left side of the steering wheel has been operated; in a case in which operation of the right-side operation region has been detected, display a right-side image corresponding to the right-side operation region in a right-side area of a display region set in front of a driving seat; and in a case in which operation of the left-side operation region has been detected, display a left-side image corresponding to the left-side operation region in a left-side area of the display region.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese PatentApplication No. 2021-151951, filed on Sep. 17, 2021, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a vehicular display control device, avehicular display system, a vehicle, a display method, and anon-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program.

Related Art

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2021-75157 discloses aconfiguration in which operation switches are provided on the left andright of a steering wheel. In JP-A No. 2021-75157, images of theoperation switches are displayed on a display screen and differentfunctions are allocated to the respective operation switches.

In JP-A No. 2021-75157, images of both the left and right operationswitches (operation regions) are displayed on the display screen, and soa large display region needs to be secured. However, if an image of theoperation switches on one side alone were to be displayed, it would bedifficult to discern at a glance which operation switches were beingdisplayed, and so there is room for improvement from the perspective ofimproving occupant usability.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a vehicular display control device, avehicular display system, a vehicle, a display method, and anon-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program that enableoccupant usability to be improved in configurations capable ofdisplaying an image of an operation region.

A first aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicular display controldevice including: memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, whereinthe processor is configured to: detect when a right-side operationregion provided on a right side of a steering wheel has been operated;detect when a left-side operation region provided on a left side of thesteering wheel has been operated; in a case in which operation of theright-side operation region has been detected, display a right-sideimage corresponding to the right-side operation region in a right-sidearea of a display region set in front of a driving seat; and in a casein which operation of the left-side operation region has been detected,display a left-side image corresponding to the left-side operationregion in a left-side area of the display region.

In the vehicular display control device according to the first aspect,the right-side image corresponding to the right-side operation region isdisplayed in the right-side area of the display region set in front ofthe driving seat in cases the right-side operation region provided onthe right side of the steering wheel has been operated. Similarly, theleft-side image corresponding to the left-side operation region isdisplayed in the left-side area of the display region in cases theleft-side operation region provided on the left side of the steeringwheel has been operated. This enables a wide area of the display regionto be secured compared to cases in which both the right-side image andthe left-side image are always displayed on the display region.

Moreover, since the right-side image is displayed in the right-side areaof the display region whereas the left-side image is displayed in theleft-side area of the display region, an occupant can intuitivelyascertain which operation region the displayed image corresponds to outof the right-side operation region or the left-side operation region.Note that here, the “right side” indicates the right side in a statefacing a direction of progress of the vehicle, and the “left side”indicates the left side in a state facing the direction of progress ofthe vehicle.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, theprocessor may be configured to: always display a central imageindicating a vehicle state in a central area of the display region; anddisplay the right-side image further toward the right side than thecentral image, and display the left-side image further toward the leftside than the central image.

In the vehicular display control device according to the second aspect,the occupant may even more easily ascertain which operation region thedisplayed image corresponds to out of the right-side operation region orthe left-side operation region.

In a third aspect of the present disclosure, in the second aspect, theprocessor may be configured to move the central image toward the leftside when displaying the right-side image, and move the central imagetoward the right side when displaying the left-side image.

In the vehicular display control device according to the third aspect,since the central image is moved, the corresponding right-side image orleft-side image may be displayed in a large size, even in cases in whichthe display region is relatively small.

In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the aboveaspects, the processor may be configured to: display the right-sideimage as an animation so as to move from a lower-right side end of thedisplay region; and display the left-side image as an animation so as tomove from a lower-left side end of the display region.

In the vehicular display control device according to the fourth aspect,since the display is an animation, the occupant may intuitivelyascertain that the image (the right-side image or left-side image)displayed on the display region corresponds to an operation region (theleft-side operation region or right-side operation region) provided onthe steering wheel.

In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the aboveaspects, the processor may be configured to: display informationrelating to driving assistance in the right-side image and displayinformation relating to onboard equipment in the left-side image; anddisplay the right-side image in cases in which operation of both theright-side operation region and the left-side operation region has beendetected.

In the vehicular display control device according to the fifth aspect,the right-side image including the driving assistance-relatedinformation is displayed in cases in which operation of both theright-side operation region and the left-side operation region has beendetected. This enables the occupant to prioritize checking informationrelating to driving assistance.

In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the aboveaspects, the processor nay be configured to: display a right-sidesuggestion image that is selectable using the right-side operationregion in the right-side area of the display region; and display aleft-side suggestion image that is selectable using the left-sideoperation region in the left-side area of the display region.

In the vehicular display control device according to the sixth aspect,in cases in which a suggestion from a navigation system or the like isdisplayed using the right-side suggestion image or the left-sidesuggestion image, this suggestion is displayed at a positioncorresponding to the pertinent operation region, thereby enabling theoccupant to intuitively ascertain the position of the operation regionthey should operate.

In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the aboveaspects, the processor may be configured to display the right-side imageand the left-side image in the display region set on a windshield glassusing a head-up display device installed to a vehicle.

In the vehicular display control device according to the seventh aspect,the contents of the corresponding right-side image or left-side imagecan be checked in a state in which the occupant is directing their gazetoward the front while driving.

An eighth aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicular display systemincluding: the vehicular display control device of any one of aboveaspects; and an image display device configured to perform display inthe display region.

A ninth aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle including thevehicular display system of the eighth aspect.

A tenth aspect of the present disclosure is a display method including:detecting when a right-side operation region provided on a right side ofa steering wheel has been operated; detecting when a left-side operationregion provided on a left side of the steering wheel has been operated;in a case in which operation of the right-side operation region has beendetected, display a right-side image corresponding to the right-sideoperation region in a right-side area of a display region set in frontof a driving seat; and in a case in which operation of the left-sideoperation region has been detected, display a left-side imagecorresponding to the left-side operation region in a left-side area ofthe display region.

An eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing a program for causing a computer toexecute processing including: detecting when a right-side operationregion provided on a right side of a steering wheel has been operated;detecting when a left-side operation region provided on a left side ofthe steering wheel has been operated; in a case in which operation ofthe right-side operation region has been detected, display a right-sideimage corresponding to the right-side operation region in a right-sidearea of a display region set in front of a driving seat; and in a casein which operation of the left-side operation region has been detected,display a left-side image corresponding to the left-side operationregion in a left-side area of the display region.

In the above aspects, the vehicular display control device, thevehicular display system, the vehicle, the display method, and thenon-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program according tothe present disclosure enable occupant usability to be improved inconfigurations capable of displaying an image of an operation region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail based on the followingfigures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a front section inside a vehicle cabin ofa vehicle applied with a vehicular display system according to anexemplary embodiment, as viewed from a vehicle rear side;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of avehicular display system according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of avehicular display control device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display on a displayregion in an exemplary embodiment, in a state in which right-sideoperation switches and left-side operation switches have not beentouched;

FIG. 5 is an example of a display following on from the state in FIG. 4, illustrating a state in which a right-side operation switch has beentouched;

FIG. 6 is an example of a display following on from the state in FIG. 4, illustrating a state in which a left-side operation switch has beentouched;

FIG. 7 is an example of a display illustrating a state in which aleft-side suggestion image is being displayed; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of displayprocessing of an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Explanation follows regarding a vehicular display system S according toan exemplary embodiment, with reference to the drawings.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , an instrument panel 14 is provided to a frontsection inside a vehicle cabin of a vehicle 12. The instrument panel 14extends along a vehicle width direction, and a steering wheel 16 isprovided on a vehicle right side of the instrument panel 14. Namely, inthe present exemplary embodiment as an example, the vehicle is aright-hand drive vehicle in which the steering wheel 16 is provided onthe right side, and a driving seat is set on the vehicle right side. Afirst right-side operation switch 34R, a second right-side operationswitch 36R, a right-side function switchover switch 38R, a firstleft-side operation switch 34L, a second left-side operation switch 36L,and a left-side function switchover switch 38L are provided on thesteering wheel 16. Note that the first right-side operation switch 34R,the second right-side operation switch 36R, and the right-side functionswitchover switch 38R correspond to a right-side operation region of thepresent disclosure. The first left-side operation switch 34L, the secondleft-side operation switch 36L, and the left-side function switchoverswitch 38L correspond to a left-side operation region of the presentdisclosure. These switches are described later.

A windshield glass 17 is provided at a front end section of theinstrument panel 14. The windshield glass 17 extends along a vehiclevertical direction and the vehicle width direction so as to partitionbetween the vehicle cabin interior and vehicle cabin exterior.

A vehicle right side end portion of the windshield glass 17 is fixed toa front pillar 18 on the vehicle right side. The front pillar 18 extendsalong the vehicle vertical direction. The windshield glass 17 is fixedto a vehicle width direction inside end portion of the front pillar 18.A front end portion of a front side glass 19 is fixed to a vehicle widthdirection outside end portion of the front pillar 18. Note that avehicle left side end portion of the windshield glass 17 is fixed to anon-illustrated front pillar on a vehicle left side.

An image display region V1 is provided on the instrument panel 14. Thedisplay region V1 is a meter display positioned on the vehicle rightside of the instrument panel 14, and displays predetermined informationthrough a first image display device 40 (see FIG. 2 ). The first imagedisplay device 40 is connected to various meter equipment installed tothe vehicle 12, and is provided at a position that enters the field ofview of a driver in a state in which their gaze is directed toward thevehicle front.

An image display region V2 is provided to the windshield glass 17. Thedisplay region V2 is set at a vehicle upper side of the display regionV1, and is configured by a projection surface that a second imagedisplay device 42 (see FIG. 2 ) projects onto. Note that the secondimage display device 42 is a head-up display device provided at avehicle front side of the instrument panel 14. Images are projected ontothe display region V2 of the windshield glass 17 from the second imagedisplay device 42 configured by the head-up display device. Namely, thedisplay region V2 configures a part of the windshield glass 17 thatserves as the projection surface of the head-up display device.

Note that the steering wheel 16 includes a substantially circularring-shaped rim 16A. A hub 16B configuring a central portion is providedat an inner circumferential side of the rim 16A. The right side of therim 16A and the hub 16B are coupled together by a spoke 16C, and theleft side of the rim 16A and the hub 16B are similarly coupled togetherby a spoke 16C. The first right-side operation switch 34R, the secondright-side operation switch 36R, and the right-side function switchoverswitch 38R are provided on the right-side spoke 16C. The first left-sideoperation switch 34L, the second left-side operation switch 36L, and theleft-side function switchover switch 38L are provided on the left-sidespoke 16C.

The first right-side operation switch 34R is formed in a substantiallyrectangular shape, and is disposed at an upper-right portion of theright-side spoke 16C. The first right-side operation switch 34R isconfigured capable of receiving input on four sides, these being upper,lower, left, and right sides, and functions are allocated to each side.

Note that in the present exemplary embodiment as an example, anon-illustrated static sensor is installed to the first right-sideoperation switch 34R, such that a touched function is selected when anoccupant touches the first right-side operation switch 34R. If theoccupant then presses the first right-side operation switch 34R in astate in which the function has been selected, the selected function isexecuted. Similar static sensors are installed to the second right-sideoperation switch 36R, the right-side function switchover switch 38R, thefirst left-side operation switch 34L, the second left-side operationswitch 36L, and the left-side function switchover switch 38L.

The second right-side operation switch 36R is formed in a substantiallyelongated rectangular shape with its length direction along the verticaldirection, and is disposed at the left side of the first right-sideoperation switch 34R. The second right-side operation switch 36R isconfigured capable of receiving input on two sides, these being upperand lower sides, and functions are allocated to each side.

The right-side function switchover switch 38R is formed in asubstantially elongated rectangular shape with its length directionalong a left-right direction, and is disposed at the lower side of thefirst right-side operation switch 34R and the second right-sideoperation switch 36R. The right-side function switchover switch 38R is aswitch for switching over functions. Specifically, by operating theright-side function switchover switch 38R, the functions allocated tothe first right-side operation switch 34R and those allocated to thesecond right-side operation switch 36R are switched over. In the presentexemplary embodiment as an example, two functions are allocated to eachof these operation switches, and these functions are switched overwhenever the right-side function switchover switch 38R is operated.

The first left-side operation switch 34L is formed in a substantiallyrectangular shape that has left-right symmetry to the first right-sideoperation switch 34R about a vertical center line of the steering wheel16, and is disposed at an upper-left portion of the left-side spoke 16C.The first left-side operation switch 34L is configured capable ofreceiving input on four sides, these being upper, lower, left, and rightsides, and functions are allocated to each side.

The second left-side operation switch 36L is formed in a substantiallyelongated rectangular shape that has left-right symmetry to the secondright-side operation switch 36R about a vertical center line of thesteering wheel 16, and is disposed at the right side of the firstleft-side operation switch 34L. The second left-side operation switch36L is configured capable of receiving input on two sides, these beingupper and lower sides, and functions are allocated to each side.

The left-side function switchover switch 38L is formed in asubstantially elongated rectangular shape that has left-right symmetryto the right-side function switchover switch 38R about a vertical centerline of the steering wheel 16, and is disposed at the lower side of thefirst left-side operation switch 34L and the second left-side operationswitch 36L. The left-side function switchover switch 38L is a switch forswitching over functions. Specifically, by operating the left-sidefunction switchover switch 38L, the functions allocated to the firstleft-side operation switch 34L and those allocated to the secondleft-side operation switch 36L are switched over.

Note that a vehicular display control device 10 is provided to thevehicle 12. The vehicular display control device 10 of the presentexemplary embodiment is for example a display electronic control unit(ECU) that performs various controls.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the vehicular display system S is configuredincluding the vehicular display control device 10.

The vehicular display control device 10 is configured including acentral processing unit (CPU; processor) 20, read only memory (ROM) 22,random access memory (RAM) 24, storage 26, a communication interface(communication I/F) 28, and an input/output interface (input/output I/F)30. The respective configuration elements are connected so as to becapable of communicating with one another through an internal bus 32.

The CPU 20 is a central processing unit that executes various programsand controls respective sections. Namely, the CPU 20 reads a programfrom the ROM 22 or the storage 26, and executes the program using theRAM 24 as a workspace. The CPU 20 also controls the respectiveconfiguration elements and performs various arithmetic processingaccording to the programs recorded in the ROM 22 or the storage 26.

The ROM 22 holds various programs and various data. The RAM 24 acts as aworkspace to temporarily store programs or data. The storage 26 isconfigured by a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), andis a non-transitory recording medium that holds various programsincluding an operating system, and various data. In the presentexemplary embodiment, programs such as a program for performing displayprocessing are held in the ROM 22 or the storage 26.

The communication I/F 28 is an interface enabling the vehicular displaycontrol device 10 to communicate with an external server and otherequipment, and a standard such as a Controller Area Network (CAN),Ethernet (registered trademark), Long Term Evolution (LTE), FiberDistributed Data Interface (FDDI), or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) maybe employed therefor.

The first right-side operation switch 34R, the second right-sideoperation switch 36R, the right-side function switchover switch 38R, thefirst left-side operation switch 34L, the second left-side operationswitch 36L, the left-side function switchover switch 38L, the firstimage display device 40, and the second image display device 42 areelectrically connected to the input/output interface 30.

The first image display device 40 is a device for performing apredetermined display on the display region V1 of the meter display. Thesecond image display device 42 is a device for performing apredetermined display on the display region V2 of the head-up display.

The vehicular display control device 10 is electrically connected to adriving assistance ECU 44. As an example, the driving assistance ECU 44of the present exemplary embodiment performs control such as activecruise control (ACC) and lane tracing assist (LTA). The drivingassistance ECU 44 is thereby configured so as to be capable of acquiringsignals from various sensors that detect the surroundings of the vehicle12.

The vehicular display control device 10 implements various functionalityusing the above-described hardware resources. Explanation followsregarding functional configuration implemented by the vehicular displaycontrol device 10, with reference to FIG. 3 .

As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the vehicular display control device 10 isconfigured including as functional configuration a right-side operationdetection section 50, a left-side operation detection section 52, anoperation image display section 54, and a suggestion image displaysection 56. Note that the respective functional configuration isimplemented by the CPU 20 reading and executing a program stored in theROM 22 or the storage 26.

The right-side operation detection section 50 detects when theright-side operation region has been operated. Specifically, theright-side operation detection section 50 detects when any switch out ofthe first right-side operation switch 34R, the second right-sideoperation switch 36R, or the right-side function switchover switch 38Rhas been operated. Note that here “operation” includes not only anaction by the occupant to press a switch, but also includes an action bythe occupant to touch a switch. Thus, for example, the right-sideoperation detection section 50 detects when the occupant has touched thefirst right-side operation switch 34R using a signal from thecorresponding static sensor. The right-side operation detection section50 also detects when the occupant has pressed the first right-sideoperation switch 34R using a signal or the like from a correspondingpressure sensor.

The left-side operation detection section 52 detects when the left-sideoperation region has been operated. Specifically, the left-sideoperation detection section 52 detects when any switch out of the firstleft-side operation switch 34L, the second left-side operation switch36L, or the left-side function switchover switch 38L has been operated.Thus, for example, the left-side operation detection section 52 detectswhen the occupant has touched the first left-side operation switch 34Lusing a signal from the corresponding static sensor. The left-sideoperation detection section 52 also detects when the occupant haspressed the first left-side operation switch 34L using a signal or thelike from the corresponding pressure sensor.

In cases in operation of the right-side operation region has beendetected, the operation image display section 54 displays a right-sideimage corresponding to the right-side operation region in a right-sidearea of the display region V2. In cases in which operation of theleft-side operation region has been detected, the operation imagedisplay section 54 displays a left-side image corresponding to theleft-side operation region in a left-side area of the display region V2.Explanation follows regarding this functionality of the operation imagedisplay section 54, with reference to FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 .

FIG. 4 illustrates a state in which the occupant is not touching anyoperation switch. In this state, a central image 60M indicating avehicle state is always displayed in a central area of the displayregion V2. In the present exemplary embodiment, a current speed of thevehicle 12 is displayed as the central image 60M. A substantiallycircular arc-shaped indicator is displayed above the speed.

In cases in which the occupant has touched any switch out of the firstright-side operation switch 34R, the second right-side operation switch36R, or the right-side function switchover switch 38R following on fromthe state in FIG. 4 , a transition is made to the state illustrated inFIG. 5 . As illustrated in FIG. 5 , a right-side image 62M is displayedin a right-side end area of the display region V2 using thefunctionality of the operation image display section 54.

The right-side image 62M is configured including a first right-sideoperation switch image 34RM with a shape representing the firstright-side operation switch 34R, a second right-side operation switchimage 36RM with a shape representing the second right-side operationswitch 36R, and a right-side function switchover switch image 38RM witha shape representing the right-side function switchover switch 38R. FIG.5 illustrates a state in which the occupant is touching an upper portionof the second right-side operation switch 36R, and so a mark at theupper side of the second right-side operation switch image 36RM isdisplayed surrounded by a circle.

As an example, icons are not displayed at an upper portion and aright-side portion of the first right-side operation switch image 34RM.Namely, the design is such that no icon is displayed at a location whereno function has been allocated.

An icon relating to setting inter-vehicle distance is displayed at aleft-side portion of the first right-side operation switch image 34RM.When this icon is selected, the inter-vehicle distance can be set.Namely, an inter-vehicle distance setting function has been allocated tothe left-side portion of the first right-side operation switch 34R.

An icon relating to switching travel modes is displayed at a lowerportion of the first right-side operation switch image 34RM. When thisicon is selected, the travel mode can be switched. Namely, a travel modeswitchover function has been allocated to the lower portion of the firstright-side operation switch 34R.

An icon relating to switching a radar cruising mode ON and OFF isdisplayed at an upper portion of the second right-side operation switchimage 36RM. When this icon is selected, the radar cruising mode can beswitched ON and OFF. An icon relating to switching LTA ON and OFF isdisplayed at a lower portion of the second right-side operation switchimage 36RM. When this icon is selected, LTA can be switched ON and OFF.Information relating to driving assistance is displayed in theright-side image 62M in this manner.

A function switchover icon is displayed in the right-side functionswitchover switch image 38RM. When this icon is selected, the functionsallocated to the first right-side operation switch 34R and thoseallocated to the second right-side operation switch 36R are switchedover.

Note that the operation image display section 54 is configured so as tomove the central image 60M toward the left side from its position inFIG. 4 , and to display the right-side image 62M further toward theright side than the central image 60M. Although not illustrated in thedrawings, the operation image display section 54 of the presentexemplary embodiment displays the right-side image 62M as an animationso as to move from a lower-right side end of the display region V2.Namely, the operation image display section 54 causes the right-sideimage 62M to emerge into view in the display region V2 from thelower-right side of where the right-side operation region is to bepositioned.

Details of the function allocated to the switch that the occupant istouching are displayed further toward the left side than the right-sideimage 62M.

On the other hand, in cases in which the occupant has touched any switchout of the first left-side operation switch 34L, the second left-sideoperation switch 36L, or the left-side function switchover switch 38Lfollowing on from the state in FIG. 4 , a transition is made to thestate illustrated in FIG. 6 . As illustrated in FIG. 6 , a left-sideimage 64M is displayed in a left-side end area of the display region V2using the functionality of the operation image display section 54.

The left-side image 64M is configured including a first left-sideoperation switch image 34LM with a shape representing the firstleft-side operation switch 34L, a second left-side operation switchimage 36LM with a shape representing the second left-side operationswitch 36L, and a left-side function switchover switch image 38LM with ashape representing the left-side function switchover switch 38L. FIG. 6illustrates a state in which the occupant is touching the left-sidefunction switchover switch 38L, and so the left-side function switchoverswitch image 38LM is displayed surrounded by a circle.

A icon relating to an air conditioner function is displayed at aleft-side portion of the first left-side operation switch image 34LM.When this icon is selected, the air conditioner function can be switchedON and OFF.

An icon indicating airflow directions is displayed at a right-sideportion of the first left-side operation switch image 34LM. When thisicon is selected, the airflow direction can be changed. Icons forchanging the set temperature of the air conditioner are respectivelydisplayed at upper and lower portions of the first left-side operationswitch image 34LM.

A volume up icon is displayed at an upper portion of the secondleft-side operation switch image 36LM. When this icon is selected, thevolume of music or the like being played inside the vehicle cabin isincreased by a predetermined amount. A volume down icon is displayed ata lower portion of the second left-side operation switch image 36LM.When this icon is selected, the volume is reduced by a predeterminedamount. Information relating to onboard equipment is displayed in theleft-side image 64M in this manner.

A function switchover icon is displayed in the left-side functionswitchover switch image 38LM. When this icon is selected, the functionsallocated to the first left-side operation switch 34L and thoseallocated to the second left-side operation switch 36L are switchedover.

Note that the operation image display section 54 is configured so as tomove the central image 60M toward the right side from its position inFIG. 4 , and to display the left-side image 64M further toward the leftside than the central image 60M. Although not illustrated in thedrawings, the operation image display section 54 of the presentexemplary embodiment displays the left-side image 64M as an animation soas to move from a lower-left-side end of the display region V2. Namely,the operation image display section 54 causes the left-side image 64M toemerge into view in the display region V2 from the lower-left side ofwhere the left-side operation region is to be positioned.

Details of the function allocated to the switch that the occupant istouching are displayed further toward the right side than the left-sideimage 64M.

Furthermore, in cases in which the operation image display section 54 ofthe present exemplary embodiment has detected operation of both theright-side operation region and the left-side operation region by theoccupant, the operation image display section 54 is set so as to displaythe right-side image 62M alone. Namely, in cases in which the occupantis touching both the first right-side operation switch image 34RM andthe first left-side operation switch image 34LM, the operation imagedisplay section 54 displays the right-side image 62M on the displayregion V2.

The suggestion image display section 56 illustrated in FIG. 3 displays aright-side suggestion image selectable using the right-side operationregion, or a left-side suggestion image selectable using the left-sideoperation region, in the display region V2. Specifically, in cases inwhich a check item for the occupant or a suggestion item for theoccupant has been received from the driving assistance ECU 44, anavigation system, or the like, the suggestion image display section 56displays the content of this check item or suggestion item on thedisplay region V2. Explanation follows regarding this functionality ofthe suggestion image display section 56, with reference to FIG. 7 .

For example, in cases in which a suggestion for a new route has beenreceived from the navigation system, a transition is made from the statein FIG. 4 to the state in FIG. 7 . In FIG. 7 , a left-side suggestionimage 66M is displayed in the display region V2 by the suggestion imagedisplay section 56.

The left-side suggestion image 66M is configured including the firstleft-side operation switch image 34LM, the second left-side operationswitch image 36LM, and the left-side function switchover switch image38LM. FIG. 7 illustrates a state in which the occupant is touching theupper portion of the first left-side operation switch image 34LM, and soan icon at the upper portion of the first left-side operation switchimage 34LM is displayed surrounded by a circle.

There is no display performed in the left and right portions of thefirst left-side operation switch image 34LM. An icon for accepting thesuggestion is displayed at the upper portion of the first left-sideoperation switch image 34LM. An icon for refusing the suggestion isdisplayed at the lower portion of the first left-side operation switchimage 34LM.

An icon to return to the previous display is displayed in the left-sidefunction switchover switch image 38LM. When this icon is selected, thedisplay switches to the first left-side operation switch image 34LM, thesecond left-side operation switch image 36LM, and the left-side functionswitchover switch image 38LM in the state prior to the suggestion beingdisplayed.

Next, explanation follows regarding operation of the present exemplaryembodiment.

Explanation follows regarding an example of display processing by thevehicular display control device 10, with reference to the flowchartillustrated in FIG. 8 . The display processing is executed by the CPU 20reading a display program from the ROM 22 or the storage 26, anddeploying and executing the display program in the RAM 24.

At step S102, the CPU 20 acquires an operation situation of each of theoperation regions. Specifically, the CPU 20 acquires information fromthe non-illustrated static sensors that are respectively installed tothe first right-side operation switch 34R, the second right-sideoperation switch 36R, the right-side function switchover switch 38R, thefirst left-side operation switch 34L, the second left-side operationswitch 36L, and the left-side function switchover switch 38L.

At step S104, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the hand of theoccupant is contacting the right-side operation region. Specifically, incases in which the CPU 20 has detected using the functionality of theright-side operation detection section 50 that the hand of the occupantis contacting any switch out of the first right-side operation switch34R, the second right-side operation switch 36R, or the right-sidefunction switchover switch 38R, step S104 is affirmative and processingtransitions to step S106. On the other hand, in cases in which the CPU20 has not detected using the functionality of the right-side operationdetection section 50 that the hand of the occupant has contacted anyswitch out of the first right-side operation switch 34R, the secondright-side operation switch 36R, or the right-side function switchoverswitch 38R, step S104 is negative and processing transitions to stepS110. The processing of step S110 onward is described later.

At step S106, the CPU 20 uses the functionality of the operation imagedisplay section 54 to move the central image 60M toward the left side.At step S108, the CPU 20 causes the right-side image 62M to emerge intoview in the display region V2 (see FIG. 5 ).

On the other hand, in cases in which the hand of the occupant has notcontacted the right-side operation region, at step S110, the CPU 20determines whether or not the hand of the occupant has contacted theleft-side operation region. Specifically, in cases in which the CPU 20has detected using the functionality of the left-side operationdetection section 52 that the hand of the occupant is touching anyswitch out of the first left-side operation switch 34L, the secondleft-side operation switch 36L, or the left-side function switchoverswitch 38L, step S110 is affirmative and processing transitions to stepS112. On the other hand, in cases in which the CPU 20 has not detectedusing the functionality of the left-side operation detection section 52that the hand of the occupant has contacted any switch out of the firstleft-side operation switch 34L, the second left-side operation switch36L, or the left-side function switchover switch 38L, step S110 isnegative and the display processing is ended.

At step S112, the CPU 20 uses the functionality of the operation imagedisplay section 54 to move the central image 60M toward the right side.At step S114, the CPU 20 causes the left-side image 64M to emerge intoview in the display region V2 (see FIG. 6 ).

As described above, in the vehicular display control device 10 accordingto the present exemplary embodiment, the right-side image 62Mcorresponding to the right-side operation region is displayed in theright-side area of the display region V2 set in front of the drivingseat in cases in which the right-side operation region provided on theright side of the steering wheel 16 has been operated. Similarly, theleft-side image 64M corresponding to the left-side operation region isdisplayed in the left-side area of the display region V2 in cases inwhich the left-side operation region provided on the left side of thesteering wheel 16 has been operated. This enables a wide area of thedisplay region V2 to be secured compared to cases in which both theright-side image 62M and the left-side image 64M are always displayed onthe display region V2.

In particular, in cases in which the display region V2 is set as a partof the windshield glass 17 as in the present exemplary embodiment, thecontents of the right-side image 62M and those of the left-side image64M can be checked in a state in which the occupant is directing theirgaze toward the front while driving.

Moreover, in the present exemplary embodiment, since the right-sideimage 62M is displayed in the right-side area of the display region V2whereas the left-side image 64M is displayed in the left-side area ofthe display region V2, the occupant can intuitively ascertain whichoperation region the displayed image corresponds to out of theright-side operation region or the left-side operation region.

Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, since the right-sideimage 62M is displayed on the right side of the central image 60Mwhereas the left-side image 64M is displayed on the left side of thecentral image 60M, the occupant can even more easily ascertain whichoperation region the displayed image corresponds to out of theright-side operation region or the left-side operation region.

Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, the central image 60Mis moved when the right-side image 62M or the left-side image 64M is tobe displayed, thereby enabling the corresponding right-side image 62M orleft-side image 64M to be displayed in a large size, even in cases inwhich the display region V2 is relatively small.

Moreover, in the present exemplary embodiment, since the right-sideimage 62M or the left-side image 64M is displayed as an animation, theoccupant can intuitively ascertain that the image (the right-side imageor left-side image) displayed on the display region V2 corresponds to anoperation region (the left-side operation region or right-side operationregion) provided on the steering wheel 16.

Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, in cases in whichoperation of both the right-side operation region and the left-sideoperation region has been detected, display of the right-side image 62Mis prioritized. This enables the occupant to prioritize checkinginformation relating to driving assistance.

Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, in cases in which asuggestion from the navigation system or the like is displayed using theright-side suggestion image or the left-side suggestion image, thissuggestion is displayed at a position corresponding to the pertinentoperation region, thereby enabling the occupant to intuitively ascertainthe position of the operation region they should operate.

Although the vehicular display system S and the vehicular displaycontrol device 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment havebeen described above, obviously various modifications may be implementedwithin a range not departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.For example, although an example of display in the display region V2 hasbeen described in the above exemplary embodiment, there is no limitationthereto, and the corresponding right-side image or left-side image maybe displayed in the display region V1.

Moreover, although a state has been illustrated and described in whichthe left-side suggestion image 66M is displayed by the suggestion imagedisplay section 56 as illustrated in FIG. 7 in the above exemplaryembodiment, a right-side suggestion image may be displayed by thesuggestion image display section 56. Specifically, the suggestion imagedisplay section 56 may display a right-side suggestion image furthertoward the right side than the central image 60M for an item selectableusing the right-side operation region.

Furthermore, although a configuration has been illustrated and describedin which the corresponding right-side image 62M or left-side image 64Memerges into view as an animation in the above exemplary embodiment, theimage may also be made to retreat out of view when transitioning to anon-display state. For example, in cases in which the occupant hasremoved their hand from the right-side operation region while in thestate illustrated in FIG. 5 , the right-side image 62M may be made toretreat out of view by the operation image display section 54 after apredetermined duration has elapsed. Namely, the operation image displaysection 54 may display the right-side image 62M as an animation so as tomove toward the lower-right side end. Furthermore, the operation imagedisplay section 54 may move the central image 60M to the center of thedisplay region V2 after causing the right-side image 62M to retreat outof view, or at the same time as causing the right-side image 62M toretreat out of view.

Furthermore, there is no particular limitation to the number and shapesof the respective operation switches and respective function switchoverswitches, which may be modified as appropriate.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicular display control device comprising:memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor isconfigured to: detect when a right-side operation region provided on aright side of a steering wheel has been operated; detect when aleft-side operation region provided on a left side of the steering wheelhas been operated; in a case in which operation of the right-sideoperation region has been detected, display a right-side imagecorresponding to the right-side operation region in a right-side area ofa display region set in front of a driving seat; and in a case in whichoperation of the left-side operation region has been detected, display aleft-side image corresponding to the left-side operation region in aleft-side area of the display region, wherein the processor isconfigured to: always display a central image indicating a vehicle statein a central area of the display region; display the right-side imagefurther toward the right side than the central image, and display theleft-side image further toward the left side than the central image; andmove the central image toward the left side when displaying theright-side image, and move the central image toward the right side whendisplaying the left-side image.
 2. A vehicular display control devicecomprising: memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein theprocessor is configured to: detect when a right-side operation regionprovided on a right side of a steering wheel has been operated; detectwhen a left-side operation region provided on a left side of thesteering wheel has been operated; in a case in which operation of theright-side operation region has been detected, display a right-sideimage corresponding to the right-side operation region in a right-sidearea of a display region set in front of a driving seat; and in a casein which operation of the left-side operation region has been detected,display a left-side image corresponding to the left-side operationregion in a left-side area of the display region, wherein the processoris configured to: display the right-side image as an animation so as tomove from a lower-right side end of the display region; and display theleft-side image as an animation so as to move from a lower-left side endof the display region.
 3. A vehicular display control device comprising:memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor isconfigured to: detect when a right-side operation region provided on aright side of a steering wheel has been operated; detect when aleft-side operation region provided on a left side of the steering wheelhas been operated; in a case in which operation of the right-sideoperation region has been detected, display a right-side imagecorresponding to the right-side operation region in a right-side area ofa display region set in front of a driving seat; and in a case in whichoperation of the left-side operation region has been detected, display aleft-side image corresponding to the left-side operation region in aleft-side area of the display region, wherein the processor isconfigured to: display information relating to driving assistance in theright-side image and display information relating to onboard equipmentin the left-side image; and display the right-side image in cases inwhich operation of both the right-side operation region and theleft-side operation region has been detected.
 4. The vehicular displaycontrol device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to:display a right-side suggestion image that is selectable using theright-side operation region in the right-side area of the displayregion; and display a left-side suggestion image that is selectableusing the left-side operation region in the left-side area of thedisplay region.
 5. The vehicular display control device of claim 1,wherein the processor is configured to display the right-side image andthe left-side image in the display region set on a windshield glassusing a head-up display device installed to a vehicle.
 6. A vehiculardisplay system comprising: the vehicular display control device of claim1; and an image display device configured to perform display in thedisplay region.
 7. A vehicle comprising the vehicular display system ofclaim
 6. 8. A display method comprising: detecting when a right-sideoperation region provided on a right side of a steering wheel has beenoperated; detecting when a left-side operation region provided on a leftside of the steering wheel has been operated; in a case in whichoperation of the right-side operation region has been detected, displaya right-side image corresponding to the right-side operation region in aright-side area of a display region set in front of a driving seat in acase in which operation of the left-side operation region has beendetected, display a left-side image corresponding to the left-sideoperation region in a left-side area of the display region; alwaysdisplaying a central image indicating a vehicle state in a central areaof the display region; displaying the right-side image further towardthe right side than the central image, and display the left-side imagefurther toward the left side than the central image; and moving thecentral image toward the left side when displaying the right-side image,and move the central image toward the right side when displaying theleft-side image.
 9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing aprogram for causing a computer to execute processing comprising:detecting when a right-side operation region provided on a right side ofa steering wheel has been operated; detecting when a left-side operationregion provided on a left side of the steering wheel has been operated;in a case in which operation of the right-side operation region has beendetected, display a right-side image corresponding to the right-sideoperation region in a right-side area of a display region set in frontof a driving seat; in a case in which operation of the left-sideoperation region has been detected, display a left-side imagecorresponding to the left-side operation region in a left-side area ofthe display region; always displaying a central image indicating avehicle state in a central area of the display region; displaying theright-side image further toward the right side than the central image,and display the left-side image further toward the left side than thecentral image; and moving the central image toward the left side whendisplaying the right-side image, and move the central image toward theright side when displaying the left-side image.
 10. The vehiculardisplay control device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configuredto: display the right-side image as an animation so as to move from alower-right side end of the display region; and display the left-sideimage as an animation so as to move from a lower-left side end of thedisplay region.
 11. The vehicular display control device of claim 1,wherein the processor is configured to: display information relating todriving assistance in the right-side image and display informationrelating to onboard equipment in the left-side image; and display theright-side image in cases in which operation of both the right-sideoperation region and the left-side operation region has been detected.12. The vehicular display control device of claim 2, wherein theprocessor is configured to: always display a central image indicating avehicle state in a central area of the display region; and display theright-side image further toward the right side than the central image,and display the left-side image further toward the left side than thecentral image.
 13. The vehicular display control device of claim 2,wherein the processor is configured to move the central image toward theleft side when displaying the right-side image, and move the centralimage toward the right side when displaying the left-side image.
 14. Thevehicular display control device of claim 2, wherein the processor isconfigured to: display a right-side suggestion image that is selectableusing the right-side operation region in the right-side area of thedisplay region; and display a left-side suggestion image that isselectable using the left-side operation region in the left-side area ofthe display region.
 15. The vehicular display control device of claim 2,wherein the processor is configured to display the right-side image andthe left-side image in the display region set on a windshield glassusing a head-up display device installed to a vehicle.
 16. The vehiculardisplay control device of claim 3, wherein the processor is configuredto: always display a central image indicating a vehicle state in acentral area of the display region; display the right-side image furthertoward the right side than the central image, and display the left-sideimage further toward the left side than the central image; and move thecentral image toward the left side when displaying the right-side image,and move the central image toward the right side when displaying theleft-side image.
 17. The vehicular display control device of claim 3,wherein the processor is configured to: display a right-side suggestionimage that is selectable using the right-side operation region in theright-side area of the display region; and display a left-sidesuggestion image that is selectable using the left-side operation regionin the left-side area of the display region.
 18. The vehicular displaycontrol device of claim 2, wherein the processor is configured todisplay the right-side image and the left-side image in the displayregion set on a windshield glass using a head-up display deviceinstalled to a vehicle.